still images from "To Live" copy right :Tomoyo Ihaya 2021
Video "To Live" is complete with sound and you can view on my Vimeo site.
https://vimeo.com/501938053 ( for " To Live")
https://vimeo.com/user122166328 ( Tomoyo Ihaya, all videos)
The inspiration came when I visited, had exhibitions and workshops in Taiwan and Korea between 2017 and 2019. Especially my visit in Korea and Taiwan in 2019 was a trigger to start learning in depth about women in trans-generational conflicts.
I met many women who taught me both countries' histories of pain and struggles. To touch the issue of what is called 'Comfort Women' ( I am not a fan of this wording) is very sensitive and difficult because of complex social and political conflicts up to present.
However, just as I felt and shared thoughts and heart felt tears with my fellow female friends, I rather wanted to focus on feeling 'grand mothers' by reading real stories by them who spoke up their pain with courage in Taiwan and Korea ( at large other Asian countries). They spoke up in wishing this would never happen again to other women (Late Harumoni Bog-don Kim said that clearly).
And knowing violences and exploitation to women continue in so many levels in every part of the world, I wanted to make something to bring healing and empathy.
I felt so much sadness while reading episodes....and often wondered how I could express this even though I had never gone through as they did.
And I still wonder how we bring collective healing and least sufferings to all fellow sentient beings.
Much gratitude to Kunsang, Yi-Chan for doing such a moving work.
Kunsang did two other videos' editing and compositing and always made my still drawings into something different and moving.
I was introduced to Yi-Chan through Prof Wendy Lai. She understood the sensitivity and feelings of the video and contemplated well to make beautiful, somber and moving sound.
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To Live
Drawing and scripts: Tomoyo Ihaya
Compositing and editing: Kunsang Kyirong
Sound: Yi-Chan Li
Voices at the last scenes:
Grandma A Tao Huang from "Grandma's Secret"
Harumoni Bog-don Kim from the interview clip by Asia Boss
Special thanks to:
Prof. Wen-Shu Lai for giving me stories and video links of interview
Newton Siao for translating all Taiwanese Ama ( Grandmothers') stories into English, although it was emotionally difficult for him.
Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation
for giving a permission to use a voice from their video
and for supporting this video
Artist would like to acknowledge a support of the Canada Council for the Arts
